This course may be continued for a week, or longer, if the case proves obstinate, and the patient’s strength will permit. It ought then to be omitted for a few days, and repeated again. At the same time leeches or a blistering-plaster may be applied to the part affected. What I have generally found answer better than either of these, in obstinate fixed rheumatic pains, is the _warm plaster_[140]. I have likewise known a plaster of Burgundy pitch worn for some time on the part affected give great relief in rheumatic pains. My ingenious friend, Dr. Alexander of Edinburgh, says, he has frequently cured very obstinate rheumatic pains by rubbing the part affected with tincture of cantharides. When the common tincture did not succeed, he used it of a double or treble strength. Cupping upon the part affected is likewise often very beneficial, and is greatly preferable to the application of leeches. Though this disease may not seem to yield to medicines for some time, yet they ought still to be persisted in. Persons who are subject to frequent returns of the rheumatism, will often find their account in using medicines, whether they be immediately affected with the disease or not. The chronic rheumatism is similar to the gout in this respect, that the most proper time for using medicines to extirpate it, is when the patient is most free from the disorder. To those who can afford the expence, I would recommend the warm baths of Buxton or Matlock in Derbyshire. These have often, to my knowledge, cured very obstinate rheumatisms, and are always safe either in or out of the fit. When the rheumatism is complicated with scorbutic complaints, which is not seldom the case, the Harrowgate waters, and those of Moffat, are proper. They should both be drank and used as a warm bath. There are several of our own domestic plants which may be used with advantage in the rheumatism. One of the best is the white _mustard_. A table-spoonful of the seed of this plant may be taken twice or thrice a-day, in a glass of water or small wine. The water-trefoil is likewise of great use in this complaint. It may be infused in wine or ale, or drank in form of tea. The ground-ivy, camomile, and several other bitters, are also beneficial, and may be used in the same manner. No benefit however is to be expected from these, unless they be taken for a considerable time. Excellent medicines are often despised in this disease, because they do not perform an immediate cure; whereas nothing would be more certain than their effect, were they duly persisted in. Want of perseverance in the use of medicines is one reason why chronic diseases are so seldom cured.